Units
Foundation English
Unit code: QCF115
Contact hours: 6 hours per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit is designed to continue the development of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in English to prepare students for further studies in Foundation Communications. A variety of everyday English literature and real-life situations will be incorporated, with the emphasis being on active participation by students, as individuals and as group members. Such activities will provide students with the skills to explore and use the English language in different contexts. Basic computing skills for word processing and the use of QUT computing services will also be developed.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 13TP1 | Yes |
| 2013 13TP2 | Yes |
| 2013 13TP3 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - 13 Week Teaching Period - 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
In this unit students will develop the four macro English language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening, through a variety of active learning tasks and experiences. The unit will provide students with skills to explore and use the English language in different contexts and prepare you to undertake further studies in communication.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to introduce international students to a variety of contexts which require using and developing a variety of English language skills.
Objectives
After completing this unit students should be able to:
- Demonstrate reading comprehension skills and develop an understanding of and an interest in reading everyday English literature (e.g. short stories). (FGC1).
- Demonstrate simple descriptive writing skills through writing personal stories and responses to other texts. (FGC1).
- Use English speaking skills to act out role plays in a variety of everyday life situations and to engage in group and class activities. (FGC1)
- Use listening and comprehension skills in a range of everyday situations.(FGC1)
- Work co-operatively in small groups. (FCG5).
Key: Foundation Graduate Capabilities
FGC 1: Effective communication in a variety of contexts and modes
FGC 2: Knowledge pertinent to a range of subject areas
FGC 3: Skills appropriate to a range of subject areas at the level of entry to the degree
FGC 4: Critical, creative and analytical thinking and effective problem solving for academic and real world contexts
FGC 5: The ability to work independently and collaboratively
FGC 6: Social and ethical responsibilityContent
The content for each week will be an integration of the four macro skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening.
These skills will be developed through critically listening to and reading a variety of multimedia publications and reporting on your findings orally and/or in writing.
In addition to the tasks listed in the Weekly Schedule, each week you will be required to:
a) complete a media vocabulary list
b) complete/add to a weekly vocabulary task
c) construct a Wiki relating to your chosen faculty. You will give an oral presentation of the completed Wiki to the rest of the class at the end of the semester.
Weekly Topics
Weeks 1 - 2 - Introduction
- Fairy Stories
- Myths and Legends
Weeks 3 - 4 - Romance
Week 5 - Australian culture
Week 6 - Australian workplace culture
Week 7 - Fantasy
Week 8 - Macabre
- Brisbane short stories
Week 9 - Horror
Weeks 10 - 12 - Adventure
- Wiki presentation
Week 13 - Wiki presentations
- Final Exam
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
This unit consists of six hours of class contact per week. The unit will use a topic based approach. Topics may vary each semester. The focus will be on students being active in the learning process. Visual tools to stimulate interest in descriptive writing will be used (photos, colour, computer graphics, DVDs).
Late Assignment Policy
Students will be penalised for the late submission of assignments. Refer to the Foundation Course Guide for details.
Review of Grades or Academic Rulings
For rules on how to apply for a review of grade, refer to the Foundation Course Guide.
Consultation
The tutor will be available for consultation from Week 2. Times will be advised in class and will also be displayed in a schedule at Reception.
Exam Timetable
The exam timetable will be displayed on the Noticeboard on Level 3 by Week 11.Assessment
Types of assessment:
Formative Assessment
Formative assessment is used to provide feedback to students to assist with their progress, and does not count towards final grade. Formative feedback is continuous. For full details of formative assessments, refer to the Week 1 document.
Summative Assessment
Summative assessment is any assessment item which is included in the calculation of your grade for this subject. For full details of summative assessment, refer to the Week 1 document.
This unit may require students to submit their assessment items through SafeAssign.
Please refer to the Week 1 document for this unit.Assessment name: Class tasks
Description: Formative: Scheduled weekly class tasks as directed by the teacher.
Relates to objectives: 1 - 5
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Weekly
Assessment name: Portfolio
Description: Summative: Portfolio of nominated class tasks (above)
* Please note that, not only will the majority of the Portfolio assessment items be completed in class, these items must also be completed in their scheduled weeks. To achieve the best possible result in this unit, your regular attendance is essential.
Relates to objectives: 1 - 5
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Final submission wk
Assessment name: Presentation
Description: Summative: Oral presentation of web site
Relates to objectives: 2, 3, 5
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weeks 12 & 13
Assessment name: Final Exam
Description: Summative: Short written responses to questions and readings.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 13
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Material will be incorporated from a range of sources, some of which students may be required to purchase. These may include the following:
- Short stories
- Myths, legends and fairy tales
- Inverted fairy tales
- Magazine articles
- Newspapers
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 14-Mar-2013
